Case: Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1:26-cv-00043 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: Jan. 8, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a lawsuit on January 8, 2026, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and federal officials, challenging the agency's March 14, 2022, determination that the Rio Grande cooter turtle does not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act. The Rio Grande cooter is a freshwater turtle native to the lower Rio Grande basin in New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico that faces multiple threats including habitat alterations from dam construction, water pollution from oil and gas operations, climate change, drought, and direct mortality from collection for international trade. The Center had originally petitioned for the species' listing in 2012. The complaint alleges that the Service's determination violated both the Endangered Species Act and the Administrative Procedure Act by being arbitrary and capricious, failing to rely on the best available science, and improperly concluding the species does not warrant protection. The Center seeks to have the determination vacated and remanded for a new decision, along with attorney's fees and costs.
The case was assigned to Judge Jia M. Cobb.
Service upon all of the defendants was completed, and their answers are due by March 13, 2026.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Maddy Ligon (2/18/2026)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72118447/parties/center-for-biological-diversity-v-us-fish-and-wildlife-service/
Cossio, Camila (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72118447/center-for-biological-diversity-v-us-fish-and-wildlife-service/
Last updated Aug. 30, 2026, 3:29 a.m.
Docket for: CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY v. U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 8, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The Center for Biological Diversity is a nonprofit membership organization known for its work protecting endangered species through legal action, scientific petitions, creative media and grassroots activism.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
BRIAN NESVIK
DOUG BURGUM
U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
Defendant Type(s):
Facility Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-00043
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Environmental Justice and Resources:
Case Summary of Center for Biological Diversity v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47634/ (last updated 2/18/2026).